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THE CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 




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A RATIONAL AND CONSISTENT 

SYSTEM 

OF 

MESMERISM; 

EXPOSING MANY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL 

ERRORS 

PREVALENT UPON THIS SUBJECT. 

"Nature unadorned is adorned the most." 

EMBRACING, ALSO, 

UNIVERSAL CONNEXION, 



* 



* 



$ 



K 



BY DR. A. YORKE, 

PROFESSOR OF MESMERISM. 



COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM NOTES OF HIS NUMEROUS EXPERIMENTS AND LETTERS TO 
HIS PUPILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. 



£ PHILADELPHIA: 
GRUBB & REAZOR, 

178 NORTH THIRD 6T. 



1844. 



& 



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The following Works, among many others, possess considerable interest ; 
for the historical and matter-of-fact information which they furnish. 

11 Mesmerism ; or System of the reciprocal actions and re-actions," &c, by 
Dr. Frederick Anton Mesmer. Edited by Dr. Chas. C. Wolfart,— Berlin, 
1814 — German. 

" Commentary upon Mesmerism," by Dr. Chas. C. Wolfart; 1815 — 
German. 

" Townshend's Facts in Mesmerism" — English. 

Deluese's Work — French to English. 

Teste's late Work— do do. 

" Attempt to Establish Animal Magnetism as a Therapeutical Agent," 
by Dr. C. A. F. Kluge, Prof, of Surgery at the University of Berlin ; 3d 
edition ; 1819 — German. 

" Attempt to Explain the apparent Magical Nature of Animal Mag- 
netism, according to Physiological and Psycological Principles," by Professor 
Eschenweyer ; 1816 — German. 

" Pathetism," by Rev. La Roy Sunderland ; New York, 1842 — English. 

■« The Wonders of Magnetism," by Dr. Louis Vogle — German. 

" Progress of Animal Magnetism in New England," by M. Poyen — 
English. 

Stilling's Writings — German. 

Wirth's Treaties— do. 

" Somnambulism," by Prof. F. Fischer, of Bazil ; 1839 — German. 

" The Magnet," (still publishing,) by Rev. La Roy Sunderland ; New 
York — English. 

Psycography," by Dr. Robert H. Collyer ; Philada., 1843 — English. 

" Researches into Vital Magnetism and Clairvoyance," by Dr. J. C. 
Passavant ; 2d revised edition — 1837. Contains a good history of Mesme- 
rism, from the earliest ages down. — German. 

The latest work from the German press, is by Prof. Eunemoser, of Munich, 
entitled, 

" Magnetism in its relation to Nature and Religion,"— 1842. It is 
highly spoken of by those who have perused it. 



'ABSORPTION: 



A RATIONAL AND CONSISTENT 



SYSTEM 



OF 



MESMERISM; 



EXPOSING MANY OF THE FUJTDAMBNTAI 



ERRORS 



PREVALENT UPON THIS SUBJECT. 



'Nature unadorned is adorned the most.' 



EMBRACING, ALSO, 



UNIVERSAL CONNEXION, 



THE CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 



BY DR. A. YORKE 



PROFESSOR OF MESMERISM. 



COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM NOTES OF HIS NUMEROUS EXPERIMENTS AND LETTERS TO 
HIS PUPILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATliS. 



p PHILADELPHIA: 
GRUBB & REAZOK 

178 NORTH THIRD ST. 
1814. 



K m± 






1? > " 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, i 
BY J. M. REAZOR, 
In the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



GihoN & Porter, Printers, 
8. E. corner of Seventh and Market Streets. 






DEDICATION. 



To the faithful, the candid pioneers of Mesmerism, hi the United 
States and in Europe ; in token of admiration for their benevolent, per- 
severing, yet unpopular labors in the cause of truth ; this brief treatise is 
respectfully dedicated, by 

The Author. 



PREFACE 



In throwing hastily together'the few following pages, which give 
but a brief outline of my System of Mesmerism, I have rather 
consulted the necessitous condition of the subject itself, than my 
own interest. For it is my sincere desire to dispel, if possible, a 
portion of the darkness and superstition which thickly envelope 
the noblest subject within the sphere of our investigation — a sub- 
ject teeming with the most profound interest to the whole world, 
and worthy the attention of the mightiest intellects. 

The exceeding brevity which I have been compelled to adopt, I 
fear will render my remarks somewhat incomprehensible to the 
first view of general readers ; yet, to those who are investigating 
the subject, for whose perusal they are chiefly intended, they will 
be found perfectly comprehensible. 

In the main, my remarks are entirely new. I am aware that my 
positions in Part Second, will be laughed at by many skeptics, 
who reject the whole subject of Mesmerism. But I do not heed 
this— quod scripsi scripsi — I have given my opinion with candor ; 
and am willing to abide by the consequences. 

I entered the field of Mesmerism under a very unfavourable 
opinion ; honestly disbelieving all that I heard, and saw of it. 
About a year ago, however, I accidentally became convinced of 
my error by my own experiments ; since which moment, I have 
devoted to it, both .by day and night, my undivided attention ; and 
kept up an incessant, untiring, practical investigation, including 
several hundred subjects of various temperaments, ages, habits, 
and conditions ; and under almost every variety of season, location, 
and circumstance imaginable. During my investigation, I gave 
every thing that met my view, which professed to throw light 
tipon the subject, a faithful, and an impartial examination. But in- 
stead of finding the subject reduced to such laws, as in reality seem 
to govern, it, I found, that it had been treated, by most writers, in 
such a vague, mystified, and inaccessible manner, that I almost 
despaired of ever arriving at any rational conclusions. 

But, I took facts for my guide ; I saw that there was a founda- 
tion to the thing itself; and, determined to spare neither labor nor 
expense to arrive at the truth, I toiled on in defiance of the scoffs 
and gibes of the prejudiced, and but little heeding the dreads and 
fears of the superstitious ; leaving not a stone unstruck, which seem- 
ed to promise a single spark of light, upon the subject. And thus 



VI. PREFACE. 

from an entire skeptic at the beginning of my researches, I have 
been led on, step by step, to appreciate and adopt the sublime 
truths of Mesmerism ; bordering closely upon " the spirit land." 

The conclusions to which my numerous experiments have led 
me, as will be seen by the following pages, are greatly at variance 
with the opinions which have been adopted, as it were, by com- 
mon consent, by most mesmerisers, down to the present time. 

My system of Absorption effectually abolishes the glaring, the 
ridiculous, the inconsistent idea, that the imperial "ivill" per- 
forms" so many curious, absurd, mystical, sublime, whimsical, ay, 
fearful convolutions, and gyrations of action, as have, by our 
" Lecturers," been attributed to it ; by which they have frightened 
the sober notions of our philosophers, and rendered Mesmerism a 
subject for mirth, even among scientific men. 

Although the following system may disturb the felicity of some 
of the potent ivil led quack mesmerisers, who are spreading them- 
selves throughout the country, I feel confident, that it will be glad- 
ly received by all whose purpose is the discovery of truth. And, 
even should they have adopted the common hypothesis of "will," 
they will recognize, at once, the errors under which they have 
been laboring; and, generally willing to make an exchange of 
what they cannot but own to be a defenceless mass of confusion, 
for that which may be brought within the sphere of our accustom- 
ed modes of reasoning, they will, willingly, suffer their tottering 
fabric of prejudice or superstition, to tumble uncoercedly into that 
burial place, where, hidden from the unmerciful, relentless, stare 
of ridicule, the darling opinions " that were," are lulled into silent 
repose ; whence nought, save their shapeless ghosts, are suffered 
to escape, to wander down to future generations, playthings for 
the mirth of school-boys. 

Should my other duties permit me to do so, I shall, within a 
short period, publish an elaborate work o'n the subject of Mesmer- 
ism. In the meantime, I offer, to the investigating public, the 
present brief pamphlet ; trusting, that by eradicating some of the 
fundamental errors prevalent upon this subject, which have hidden 
its real worth from the view of scientific men, who otherwise must 
have seen and adopted it, I shall discharge a duty, which the rights 
of my species demand. 

A. YORKE. 



PART I. 

ABSORPTION. 

CHAPTER I. 

Man is very justly considered the most exalted creature of the 
animal kingdom. Besides this, the intellectual faculties, with 
which his species is endowed, which, through means with which 
he is every day becoming more and more familiar, may be ele- 
vated to a far more exalted capacity than their ordinary condition 
exhibits, justly entitle him to be ranked in the Kingdom of Spirits. 

For the purpose of being systematic, I shall consider man in 
three distinct divisions. First, the Body. Second, the Vital 
Principle. Third, the Mind. 

In the first, I shall include the solids, together with all the pon- 
derable fluids, of the human economy. In the second, I shall in- 
clude that principle, which has for its basis, an imponderable fluid, 
upon which depend the life, and action of the system. The third, 
which is the mind, or soul, is entirely immaterial ; and includes 
thought and sensation. Some, indeed, have added a fourth divi- 
sion, to embrace the soul, which they have considered as being 
distinct from the mind. Be this as it may, the'above three divisions 
are sufficient for my present purpose. Nor do I see the utility of 
going beyond this third division, and then confining ourselves to a 
fourth : just as well might we add a fifth and a sixth. For, whilst the 
fourth division is entirely beyond our comprehension, equally so is 
the third ; the existence of which, however, we are necessarily com- 
pelled to admit; i. e. a capacity for thought and sensation. But 
of the manner in which this capacity acts, we are totally ignorant ; 
and may ever expect to remain so, whilst under our present terres- 
trial organization. 

Of the first division, I need say but little in this place, as we are 
already familiar with it. The second, then, only remains for our 
consideration. 

This embodies, by means of an imponderable fluid, and its 
properties, the connecting link between mind and matter ; it em- 
bodies the principle of life, and the medium by which the mind, 
which is strictly immaterial, acts upon, and influences the body, 



6 ABSORPTION. 

which latter, is strictly material; as well as the medium by which 
the body, when influenced by outward objects, communicates, in 
turn, itstihfhien.ee to the mind. 

The existence of this fluid was for some time a matter of doubt 
to many who attempted to investigate the subject ; but at present, 
I think that there is no practical mesmerizer who has arrived at 
any degree of proficiency in his a*rt, that entertains even the slight- 
est remnant of doubt upon this point. I consider it unnecessary, 
therefore, to offer any especial proof of its existence, beyond what 
may be gathered from the tenor of this work. Several speculations 
have been advanced, for the purpose of identifying it with the 
electric fluid ; which have been, thus far, unsuccessful. And, as 
my present means of making a chemical analysis of it, for the pur- 
pose of determining the precise quantities of any primitive sub- 
stances, that may enter into its composition, are entirely inadequate 
to that task, I shall content myself, for the present, by denying its 
strict identity with electricity ; at the same time contending that 
that fluid forms its basis, which, however, becomes variously mo- 
dified (as I shall hereafter show) by a variety of other substances, 
as it occupies the different parts of the system. Was it pure elec- 
tricity, its effects would be uniform ; and, if all subjects were not 
affected precisely alike by its influence, at least the same subject 
would be affected*precisely alike by the influence of every mes- 
merizer, which is hot the case ; for every individual possesses this 
fluid under a modification peculiar to himself. 

This medium has received a variety of names, according to the 
caprice or inclination of each individual treating of it; such as — - 
"Vital Principle, 77 "Nervous Force, 77 "Magnetic Medium, 77 and 
some others. But I shall call it the Mesmeric Fluid ; that being 
a name of generic import, and one that will exclude no principle 
which may hereafter be discovered to belong to it. 

That fluid, with which the system of the subject is charged, 
when under mesmeric influence, being that which abounds- in 
negative electricity, I shall term Positive Mesmerism. Its contrary, 
of which the subject is at that time deprived, and which abounds 
in positive electricity, I shall term Negative Mesmerism. 

This fluid, like its basis electricity, is universal ; and in addition 
to this, by its being modified by other substances, it is capable of 
pervading, in right lines, all known substances (which I have yet 
tested) whether conductors of electricity, or otherwise, and whether 
conductors of common light, or otherwise, i. e. whether transparent 
or opaque. This latter condition it is, which renders it a medium 
for vision to the lucid subject. ; as the common light is a medium, 
for sight, to the natural eye, and gives him that capacity of clear- 
sightedness, or Clairvoyance, by which he is enabled to see, dis- 
tinctly, through substances which are opaque, with respect to com- 
mon light. 



ABSORPTION. 9 

This arrangement is'as conceivable, and as admissible to our 
perceptions, as, that common light pervades glass, water, the at- 
?nosphere, and other transparent substances; and thus informs 
our sight of the presence of objects beyond them. Nor would it 
be any more absurd, for a person who is blind, and does not pos- 
sess the natural means of vision, to deny the existence of light, and 
its properties, because he is unable to comprehend them, than for 
one, who has not been in a lucid mesmeric state, to deny these 
principles of the mesmeric fluid, merely because he has not per- 
sonally realized them. 

This fluid has the atmosphere for a reservoir of its general prin- 
ciple, electricity ; yet, in its modified condition, resides upon the 
nervous system of animals, and, more particularly, upon the nerves 
(including the brain) of the human economy. Whilst, in this 
latter capacity, it furnishes, as I have before said, the connexion 
between the material, and immaterial parts of our nature; was it 
not for this, the spirit must necessarily exist separately from the 
body; and the mind would lose its ability to recognize the indivi- 
dual habitation to which it belongs. As it is, however, the body 
becomes a repository of thought and sensation, by means of this 
connecting agency. 

Each external cause of sensation, produces a peculiar modifica- 
tion of this fluid, which is then deposited upon an appropriate part 
of the nervous system, where its peculiar import is recognized by 
the mind. By the commingling of these various deposites, which 
first originate in simple sensations, material is furnished for all the 
combinations of ideas which we possess; and thus is means 
established for the support of an endless train of thought and 
action. 

I shall leave the further consideration, of this part of the subject, 
until I come to treat of the Consequences of Mesmerism. 

This fluid is subject to disorganization ; which causes pain, and 
disease in the system ; and, good clairvoyant subjects tell me, that 
they can detect this disorganization, by the fluid's exhibiting a 
dark, dull color, in contradistinction from that of the healthily or- 
ganized fluid ; which, they say, has invariably a white, luminous 
appearance. 

When a pain, &c, is to be removed by mesmeric application, 
the immediate cause of which is, always, an unhealthy organiza- 
tion of this fluid, it is easily to be understood, how, when this por- 
tion of the fluid, which has become unhealthily modified, or de- 
composed by some means or other, has been dislodged, and a por- 
tion of healthy fluid established in its stead, by the operation, the 
pain is removed. 

One of the most valuable laws, as I shall hereafter show, which 
governs this fluid, is its tendency to seek an equilibrium upon the 
nervous system. 
2 



10 ABSORPTION, 

Not only does this subtile fluid serve as a medium lo connect 
thought with our individual bodies, but also, by its action upon 
the motor nerves, furnishes the muscles with the power of Con- 
tractility and relaxation ; thus rendering our bodies capable of mo- 
tion and action. 

It appears to me, that, in order to contract a muscle, the poles 
of certain fibres of the nerves, are thrown into peculiar positions, 
with relation to each other, in such a manner, as to cause tfne set 
of poles to become positively mesmerized ; whilst the other, on the 
contrary, remains negatively mesmerized ; which conditions pro- 
duce a principle of attraction, similar to that manifested by the 
opposite poles of electricity, and thus cause the contraction in 
question. 

If, for instance, we suppose that the fibres, at one pole, are 
erected in such a manner as to extend their points, which points 
may serve for the collection of negative mesmerism, in a similar 
manner to that in which steel points serv^e to collect the electric 
fluid, and that the other poles, by being relaxed, absorb, in their 
turn, the positive mesmerism, we have no difficulty, whatever, in 
understanding how each pole may be supplied with its essential 
principle, from the adjacent parts,or from the general reservoir itself. 

It is still difficult, however, to determine how these nervous fi- 
bres are brought into action by the command of the mind. It 
seems equally difficult, too, to determine whether the mind acts 
independently, in issuing its mandates to the fluid, or whether the 
action of the fluid (which is, of course, modified by external cir- 
cumstances) takes place in accordance with some former actions, 
which it has performed. For the peculiar state in which the fluid 
was left, by its former actions, united with the influence of external 
causes; may, peradventure, produce, as a necessary and unavoida- 
ble consequence, not only the present action, but, at the same time r 
the will to perform this action. 

This last proposition, which is not without some share of sup- 
porting evidence, throws the action of the mind into the position 
of an effect, instead of a cause j i. e. makes the fluid the motive 
power, and thought the consequence ; and was it established,, 
would save us the trouble of enquiring hoio the fluid *is brought 
into action by the command of the mind. But as it seems impos- 
sible to arrive at any satisfactory conclusions, with respect to the 
manner in which the immaterial and material parts of our nature 
are connected, I will quit the discussion of this mysterious question, 
for the present, and proceed to speak of more tangible matters — 
maintaining the position which I have taken with regard to the 
poles of the nervous fibres, and premising, still farther, (as my 
practice corroborates it) that the negative mesmeric (electric) 
points, when in action, are generally directed towards the ex- 
tremities 



ABSORPTION. 1 1 

Each individual part of the system possesses this fluid under a 
modification peculiar to itself. This is strongly manifested by 
the brain, where each portion serves for the occupation of some 
particular kind of thought, sensation, &c. And, further, as no two 
individuals are precisely of the same constitution and disposition, 
neither do any two persons possess this fluid in precisely the same 
degree, either with respect to quantity, or quajity. 

Lastly; the fluids belonging to the systems of two or more indi- 
viduals, may, by means of the mesmeric operation, be brought 
into communication with each other, when many curious, interest- 
ing, and important phenomena may often be developed. 



CHAPTER II. 

Although the fluid, of which I have been treating in the former 
chapter, the positive kind of which constitutes the material for 
mesmerizing, is possessed in different degrees by different indi- 
viduals, no one, at all acquainted with the subject, will pretend, 
that the ability to mesmerize is confined to a few individuals ex- 
clusively ; yet, it is not to be denied, that, like with every other 
faculty, with which we are endowed, nature has dealt more libe- 
rally with some of us than others, in measuring out our capacity 
to mesmerize. She has, on the other hand, also, been partial to 
some, by constituting them more susceptible to the mesmeric in- 
fluence, than others ; thus, making them natural heirs to the bene- 
fits to beHerived from it. 

The different degrees of mesmeric capacity depend on certain 
conditions of temperament, and mental organization. 

Those, with whom the sanguine, or bilious temperament pre- 
dominates, usually possess positive mesmeric fluid in a strong de- 
gree; and, hence, they have, by their nature, a supply of the ne- 
cessary material for mesmerizing. Yet this alone does not con- 
stitute them efficient mesmerizers; for, let it be especially observed, 
there is a vast difference between the mere possession of the 
material for mesmerizing, and the power to call this material into 
action. 

The capacity to use this material to advantage, consists in a 
peculiar mental organization, in an ability to exert a strong degree 
of mental energy, an irresistible and unremitting determination to 
succeed in what we have undertaken to create, and support, un- 
tiringly, a superior degree of nervous action. This is usually, 
chiefly manifested by the organ of Firmness being well developed ; 
which renders us capable of continuing in any pursuit, in which 



li ABSORPTION. 

we may have engaged, at the suggestion of the other organs of 
the brain. Although this constitutes the sine qua non of the 
mesmeric power, this power is greatly modified, as well as 
strengthened, by a liberal share of Benevolence ; which is, perhaps, 
of as much, or even more importance, than the leading principle 
of continuance, itself.* 

Those who are naturally more susceptible to the mesmeric in- 
fluence, generally have the nervous, or lymphatic temperament 
predominating; and possess an abundant share of the negative 
mesmeric fluid. (It may be well to remark here, that the 
peculiar physical constitution, proposed for the mesmerizer, as 
well as this contrary one, here offered, for the subject, or recipient, 
pre-suppose the residence of the particular kind of fluid, which I 
have allotted to each of them ; which peculiar degree, of positive 
or negative fluid, is essential to the well-being of each, to whom 
it has been allotted, whilst they are in their natural state, and, 
when the positive and negative degrees are changed, from what 
the constitution naturally requires, mesmeric phenomena are pro 
duced.) 

Certain conditions of the mental organization, are also advanta- 
geous to the recipient ; the chief of which, is an ability to devote 
the whole attention to the mesmerizer. This is shown by the 
organ of Concentrativeness being strongly marked ; which creates 
an ability' to keep the attention fixed upon a single subject, to the 
exclusion of all other thoughts. 

The recipient, too, should be of an amiable disposition, and free 
from any thing that would tend to render him, in the least degree, 
disagreeable to the operator. 

The combinations of the physical and mental conditions, which 
I have here proposed, are seldom met with in any considerable 
degree of perfection. Those who are so happily constituted, are 
capable of producing truly wonderful effects^ whilst those who 
possess the necessary conditions in part, are still able to produce 
some phenomena ; yet there are many others, who, from an abso- 
lute absence of all such essential combinations, are totally incapa- 
ble of either producing or receiving any beneficial effect, whatever. 



CHAPTER III. 

It is a lamentable truth, that, in addition to the very indifferent 
manner in which the modus operandi of mesmerism has heretofore 
been understood, efforts have even been made, by some who have 

* See Part III., Chap. 3. 



N ABSORPTION. 13 

Created the subject, to render it even more mysterious and incom- 
prehensible, than they, themselves, found it. We hear it, every 
day, most profoundly asserted, that the fluid is subject to the will 
of the mesmerizer — that the mesmerizer "wills" a thing to be 
done, and it is done ; and all this unconditionally. And, without 
any further explanation, whatever, we are told, that the "will" 
of the mesmerizer, sends out this fluid; i.e. eradiates, directs it; 
to the system of the subject ; depositing it in this place, and that, 
at its option. Some lecturers upon the subject, have even been 
hardy enough to assert, that they have thrown subjects into the 
mesmeric state at the distance of half a mile, without knowing 
where they were at the time, and without their knowledge of the 
operation, &c; and leave their hearers to understand, as best they 
can, how their wills have eradiated a fluid, through a densely 
populated city, in every direction, to the distance of half a mile, 
until it has sought out, from among the crowds the object for which 
it ivas intended, and there deposited itself, in strict obedience to 
the commands of its imperial master, the will* Statements, of 
these kinds, are more readily made, than either understood or be- 
lieved ; and are but illy calculated to assist in establishing that 
confidence in the subject, of which, at present, it stands greatly in 
need. It is fully time, therefore, that such deleterious errors, 
which are rather* the offspring of superstitious folly, combined with 
a morbid love of the pageantry of "mystic lore," than of scientific 
reflection, should be eradicated, and a rational and comprehensible 
view of the subject taken; such an one, as will not presume to set 
at naught all the known laws of nature — nor challenge our credu- 
lity beyond its utmost stretch ; but will comport with our daily ob- 
servations of nature's laws, and accord with the knowledge that 
we already possess of her operations, which canno^ fail to enlist 
the attention.of philosophers. 

In order to produce mesmeric effects, the mesmeric fluid, of the 
operator, and that of the subject, are brought into communication, 
by contact, proixmity, or mutual correspondence ; by which means 
they become so modified, as to cofomingle with each other, almost 
as though they were the common property of both. 

miction of the nervous system, or of any part of it, requires the 
presence of a greater degree of negative mesmeric fluid, than in- 
action; or action requires a supply of negative mesmerism (elec- 
• tricity) whilst inaction may survive on positive mesmerism. In 
the mesmeric operation, the nervous system of the operator is 
thrown into voluntary, even energetic action — the negative mes- 
meric (electric) points of the fibres, of the nervous substance, are 
erected, and extended in such a manner, as to collect, most effec- 
tually, the negative mesmeric principle, essential to the condition 

* See first note, Part II., Chap. 1. 



14 ABSORPTION. 

of action. On the other hand, the nervous system of the subject 
of the operation, is suffered to relax into a state of repose and in- 
action; in this condition, it requires a less quantity of negative 
mesmerism than it already possesses ; but, in its stead, a supply of 
positive mesmerism. The fluids of the two systems, are now con- 
nected, and the operation about to take place — the two conditions, 
of activity and inactivity, are present ; one at either end of the 
chain — each with its peculiar want to be supplied, and each pos- 
sessing that sort of fluid, which is not only unnecessary, but abso- 
lutely destructive, to its own continuance ; yet the very desideratum 
■of the other. As the operation continues, a mutual exchange of 
the fluids occurs ; the negative mesmerism (electricity) passes to 
the active system of the operator, which requires its presence, 
whilst the positive mesmerism passes to the inactive system of the 
recipient, the condition of which, also, requires its presence. And 
in this manner the operation of mesmerizing is completed. But 
is this exchange of the fluids brought about by the " will" of the 
mesmerizer, sending out, propelling, eradiating, and directing a 
fluid to the system of the subject, as has been heretofore univer- 
sally contended ? I think not ; and I believe that every candid 
reader must agree with me in this opinion. Instead, however, of 
its being effected in so mysterious and improbable a manner, it is 
accomplished, as will be seen by what has alrea'dy been said, by 
the simple process of Absorption, with the existence of which 
principle, our daily observations have made us familiar. 

I am fully aware, in making this correction, by substituting a 
theory based upon philosophic principles, for one, the leading fea- 
ture of which is romance, that I shall greatly spoil mesmerism — ■ 
-not however, of its grandeur, its sublimity — not of its noble balmy 
purposes — no$ of its high benevolent, and sympathetic character — 
but of a part of one of its most attractive outward ornaments ; 
namely, its mystery ! ! Nor am I ignorant of the prodigious con- 
sequences that must result to mankind, from the general application 
of the principles here laid down j but, of this, I shall speak in 
another chapter. 

This absorption is not confined to either the operator, or the 
subject ; but produces a mutual exchange, of the opposite kinds of 
fluid, between the two parties. 

It will be seen, that the mesmerizer, by performing the active 
part of the operation, absorbs from the system of the subject, the*, 
negative mesmeric fluid; whilst the subject, in turn, by remaining 
inactive, absorbs the positive mesmeric fluid from the operator's 
system. Hence, each has become a recipient ; the former, how- 
ever, of negative mesmerism, (electricity,) which principle sup- 
ports him in an active, and waking state ; and the latter, of posi- 
tive mesmeric fluid, who is then said to be under mesmeric in- 
fluence. 



ABSORPTION, 



CHAPTER IV. 



This theory of absorption, is supported by an extensive range 
of phenomena which I have seen produced, and I know of none 
with which it does not satisfactorily accord. ( 

How is it, I ask, that, if the' fluid is subservient to, and dire&ted 
by the "ivill," we sometimes throw persons into the mesmeric 
state, when it is not our will to do so, and of which we are entire- 
ly ignorant at the time? For it not unfrequently occurs, that, at the 
end of a tedious operation on a difficult subject, the operator dis- 
covers one or more persons who are sitting near him, and whom 
he has had not the slightest intention to mesmerize, to be under 
mesmeric influence. Writers have not been sparing in their essays- 
on foreign influence : i. e. the subject, when mesmerized, receiving 
the influence of those around him, which often causes some trouble 
to the operator to remove it ; for this they have accounted, by sup- 
posing it to be produced, by the " will" of the bystanders, who 
merely wish to try their mesmeric skill. But concerning this fo- 
reign absorption, of which I have spoken above, i. e. the subject 
becoming mesmerized ivithout the will of the operator ; which is 
of nearly as frequent occurrence as the other, they have all re- 
mained perfectly quiet; perceiving no doubt, (as they easily 
might,) that their theory of "will" would not embrace it. The 
principles of absorption, however, will satisfactorily explain them 
both. * 

Again : a person who has made but one or two attempts to mes- 
merize, will often be found capable to remove the influence from a 
subject in a shorter time than it could be done by an experienced 
operator : the reason is obvious ; namely, that the responsibility 
and novelty of his situation, with which he continues to be im- 
pressed during the whole time that the subject is under the influ- 
ence, prevent the negative mesmerism (electricity,) from escaping 
into the general reservoir; hence it is retained upon his system — 
ready to be returned to the subject at the least notice. With the ex- 
perienced operator, however, it is often different ; for, at the end of 
his operation, he having nothing to keep his nervous system in in- 
voluntary action, relaxes it, and suffers the negative mesmerism 
which he has absorbed from the system of the subject, to pass into the 
atmosphere : (this, of course, is very essential when operating for the 
relief of disease : for it throws off the diseased fluid, and replaces it 
by a fresh supply from the general reservoir.) the consequence of 
which is, that when he desires to aivake his subject, he is often 
compelled, first to re-collect a fresh, supply of negative mesmerism 
to be returned to the subject, instead of that which he (the opera- 



16 ABSORPTION. 

tor,) had absorbed. No one will presume to doubt, that in these ci 
ciimstances, the ivill of the experienced mesmerizer is as strong as 
that of the inexperienced one, or even stronger. 

Besides this general principle of absorption, which depends 
principally on the positive and negative qualities of the fluid, there 
is also a secondary principle which deserves our attention, and is 
equally important and interesting in its effects with the former. 

It ^ this, that, as each part of the system possesses the fluid under 
a modification peculiar to itself, so each part has a tendency to 
absofb from the corresponding part of the system of another, in 
preference to any other part. 

This principle is manifested in many ways, and particularly in 
that class of curious phenomena in which the senses of the operator 
and subject, are said to act in sympathy. If, for instance, when 
the conditions are such as may render the sympathy of taste de- 
monstrable, the operator should take a sapid substance into his 
mouth, the gustatory organs of the subject may receive the same 
sapid impression, as that which the operator has received. 

Elucidation. In the first place, as I have already premised, 
each external cause of sensation produces a peculiar modification 
of the fluid ; and also the negative mesmerism (electricity,) is par- 
ticularly essential to nervous action. Now the operator has absorbed 
upon his gustatory organs, a superfluous quantity of this principle, 
from the corresponding organs of the subject : hence, the sapid body 
being brought into contact with his gustatory organs, produces a 
peculiar effect upon the fluid there residing, i. e. modifies it in a 
peculiar manner, by which it conveys to the mind the knowledge 
of some particular taste. If, for instance, the sapid body is an 
aromatic, its action upon the gustatory fluid is such as will change 
the qualities of that fluid, in such a manner that it will be recog- 
nized by the mind, to have been in contact with a body.possessing 
aromatic properties. During the time that the operator is tasting, 
he is collecting the negative mesmeric principle for the action ; and 
ivhilst he is making an effort to increase the taste in his own mouth, 
(supposing the subject to be still passive,) the subject will receive no 
impression by sympathy whatever, nor until the operator relaxes 
his effort to taste, when the gustatory organs of the subject, being 
called into action, will re-absorb from the corresponding organs of 
the operator the negative mesmeric principle, essential to the sup- 
port of their action ; (yet no longer necessary to the relaxed, or inac- 
tive state of the gustatory organs of the operator,) bearing with it the 
aromatic modification which it has received. Thus his organs of 
gustation receive the same sapid impression as those of the opera- 
tor, and in a similar manner, convey a knowledge of it to his mind. 

This phenomenon may likewise be produced by another person 
taking the place of the mesmerizer, (i. e. being put in communica- 
tion with the subject,) demonstrating clearly, that the subject when 



ABSORPTION. 17 

tinder mesmeric influence, may absorbYrom the system of another, 
a portion of negative mesmerism (electricity,) which did not original- 
ly belong to him. 

In fact, I have seen a case of a young lady, in which, by this 
kind of absorption, severe strangulation was produced by the per- 
son who was in communication withUher, having swallowed a 
small portion of capsicum annuum ; and even after she was taken 
out of the state, the biting continued on her lipsduring severalhours. 

The same principles of re-absorption which I have here given, 
may be equally applied to the senses of feeling and smelling, (I 
have never yet seen a satisfactory case of sympathetic hearing : 
and for this reason shall pass over it, at present,) of vision, I shall 
speak in another place. 

In feeling, if the operator's hand should be wounded in such a 
manner as will cause pain ; a similar sensation will be produced on 
the corresponding part of the subject's system. If the hair of the 
former should be pulled, the latter will complain of his head ; and, 
often after being awakened, will charge some one withbh^ing 
pulled his hair ; which clearly proves my position, with regard to 
the peculiarities of the different parts of the system ; and the mutual 
preference of the corresponding parts for each other. 

In smelling, too, the olfactory sensations, which are often trans- 
fered very correctly, from the operator to the subject, are conveyed 
by the same process of local re-absorption. 

When any corresponding parts of two systems are equally ac- 
tive, or equally inactive at the same time, no exchange of the fluids 
takes place by the secondary or local principle of mutual absorp- 
tion, (yet, independent of this, a greater or less effect may some- 
times be produced by the general, or positive and negative principle, 
which, by dint of the tendency, which the fluid has to seek an equi- 
librium, spreads its influence throughout the system.) And also, 
when any particular part or organ of the mesmerizer's system is 
thrown into action, whilst the corresponding one of the subject's 
system remains inactive, a mutual local absorption takes place, 
and that part, or organ of the subject, is brought under mesmeric in- 
fluence. This is an elucidation of the mystery (concerning which, 
the wits of many of our amateur mesmerizers have been greatly at 
a loss) of that important branch of mesmerism — popularly termed 
" Local Magnetism." 



CHAPTER V. 

It has been supposed, that, during the mesmeric operation, a 
community of thought and feeling was established between the 
operator and the subject — a unison of the action of the two minds 
3 



18 ABSORPTION. 

was kept np ; and in accordance with whatever organs of the 
operator's brain were the most active, the corresponding organs 
of the subject's brain were excited by means of sympathy; and 
this, during the operation. This is an error as egregious as many 
others, which, before I finish this work, it will have fallen to my 
lot to correct : nor can I^ee any plausible philosophic excuse for 
it ; for such communication from the operator to the subject, can 
only take place by re-action — re-absorption ; whilst, on the contrary, 
during the operation, a direct opposite action of the corresponding 
organs is produced. 

Elucidation. When a particular faculty of the operator's 
mind is active, it becomes the province of the organ supporting the 
corresponding faculty of the subject, to supply with negative mes- 
merism, (electricity,) the like organ of the operator, which is in an 
active state ; and in its turn, to absorb from that active organ, the 
positive mesmeric principle, which renders it more and more 
inactive. Thus, if that faculty of the operator which gives him 
thegfeejing of " 'per sever antia omnia vincit" is active, it will tend 
to exhaust the active principle of that faculty from the subject, 
who, by this means, allows himself to become flexible and sub- 
servient to the operator ; and a suspension or relaxation of the 
activity of that faculty on the part of the operator, during the 
operation, is often attended by the risk of arousing the subject, by 
allowing him to re-absorb the active principle upon the organ in 
question. 

If benevolence is active with the operator, and produces a feeling 
of pity and concern for the welfare of the subject — a desire io give : 
it necessarily absorbs the active principle of that faculty from the 
subject, as in the former case ; and instead of" benevolence" being 
excited in the subject by sympathy, a willingness on the contrary 
to receive a benefice is established ; in consequence of its action 
being depressed by exhaustion. The same may be said, on this 
point, with respect to the other organs; to some of which I shall 
allude in treating of the abuses of mesmerism. 

I may also observe in this place, that, when an organ is exceed- 
ingly large and active in the brain of the subject, the operator is 
sometimes visibly affected by it ; by direct local absorption from 
it. For .a large and naturally active organ, whilst being lulled, in 
common with the rest of the system, into a passive state, may very 
readily and suddenly absorb the inactive principle from the like 
organ of the operator, upon the slightest opportunity being given, 
by such organ of the operator becoming excited in the least 
degree; which consequently must, in its turn, absorb the negative 
mesmeric or active principle. 

I have witnessed several striking phenomena of this kind, and 
believe that they are not of very rare occurrence. One case in 
particular, in which combativeness in the subject's brain was very 
large and excitable ; the like organ of the operator being large. 



ABSORPTION. 19 

After the connexion had been formed and the absorption carried 
to considerable extent, and whilst the latter was still going on, the 
faculty of combativeness of the operator became suddenly excited 
without any visible external cause, to such an extent, that it was with 
^reat difficulty he restrained himself from actually striking the subject. 
But upon raising himself, and looking leisurely into the subject's 
face with the involuntary feeling of a most bitter antagonist, and 
observing an unusual degree of placidity in his expression, he 
apprehended, at once, the cause of his excitement ; readily per- 
ceiving that he had acquired it by local absorption. Upon this he 
endeavored to relax that feeling and become calm ; the conse- 
quence of which was a re-action of the negative mesmerism upon 
the subject's combativeness, which, by this re-absorption, became 
more and more excited as the operator grew cairn. 

Another instance I have seen, in which tune was strongly de- 
veloped in the subject; with the operator the like organ was/w//. 
In this case the operator involuntarily commenced humming- a t 
tune ; a thing entirely foreign to his usual habits, and especially 
on such an occasion : (he being at the time exhibiting phenomena 
to a public audience of several hundred persons in Reading, Pa.) 
I have seen this latter phenomenon at different times, both during 
and after the operation, and account for it as in the former case. 
Hence it will be seen, that, during the operation, the faculties do 
not act in unison. When the operation is completed, and the 
subject reduced to a deep state, the operator, by decreasing the 
action of his nervous system, causes a suspension of the adverse 
action of the corresponding organs ; but even then, by re-absorption, 
the negative mesmeric fluid that is re-absorbed by the subject, 
which constitutes a vehicle for the thought or sensation, takes its 
journey at the expense of the operator. In a word, it may be 
resolved into this, namely, that whilst the faculty of one is being 
supplied with the active principle, by local absorption, the corres- 
ponding one of the other is becoming exhausted. 



CHAPTER VI. 

I shall now proceed to consider briefly, that interesting and 
valuable branch of mesmerism which has recently received the 
titles of " Neurology," " Cephology," &c, but is more generally 
termed " Phreno-magnetism." 

With regard to the manner in which this class of phenomena is 
produced, I shall have to disagree in part with both Dr. Collyer 
and his opponents; for he does not admit that the organs of the 



20 ABSORPTION. 

brain are ever excited by manipulation-, or, in other words, that 
the excitement of the organs is caused by a fluid communicated by 
the fingers, but that the faculty is excited by " will" Whilst 
some of his opponents contend, that they can always be excited 
by " touch ;" which process they consider indispensable. This 
latter error is certainly much the greater, and seems to betray a 
paucity of experience in the examination of the subject ; whilst 'the 
former, I admit, may, despite of much industrious application, for 
a long time baffle our efforts to detect it ; owing to the many 
difficulties usually attending an impartial investigation of this 
matter. 

There are three distinct methods by which this kind of phe- 
nomena is made manifest, which may either act seperately or 
conjunctively. These are : first, Manipulation, second, Local Ab- 
sorption, third, Perception. With regard to Manipulation, of 
which I have yet premised nothing, the fact will be readily under- 
stood, that the fingers, when vigorously extended, which erects 
the negative mesmeric (electric) points of the nervous fibres 
toward the extremities, become excellent absorbents for the collec- 
tion of the active principle ; and upon being relaxed, will suffer 
this principle to escape ; re-absorbing in turn the positive mesmeric 
or inactive principle. This fact is strongly corroborated by the 
effect produced by pointing the extended fingers towards the eyes 
of the subject, and then relaxing them whilst in this position : to 
the consequence of which latter act, many an amateur mesmerizer 
can attest the surprising discomfiture that he has met with by 
performing it, either through ignorance or inadvertence. So in 
bringing the fingers in contact (proximity,) with an organ of the 
brain, if they are already sufficiently charged with the active 
principle, re-absorption may be brought about immediately upon 
their being relaxed, and the organ thus excited. This capacity 
of exciting the organs of the brain, by manipulation, is confined to 
the principle of general absorption, and can have place only in 
those cases in which the law of equilibrium predominates over 
the principle of local absorption: and there are many cases in 
which this principle of local absorption, i. e. the preference which 
each part has for the fluids of its corresponding part, is so tenacious 
that it entirely precludes the efficiency of manipulation in exciting 
the organs. And, in fact, I think the cases comparatively few, in 
which manipulation alone is sufficient to produce this effect. I 
am not ignorant of the precautions necessary to prove this opinion 
of manipulatory excitement, and have been favored with the 
most unimpeachable evidence of its validity in cases in which all 
the usual hindrances upon this point have been removed. In 
many cases, however, the influence of manipulation is available, 
when acting in adjunction with either of the other exciting 
methods ; for it then often adds vigor to the excitement already begun. 



ABSORPTION. 21 

When a particular organ is to be excited by the second method, 
local absorption, the corresponding organ of the operator's brain 
must first be excited — receiving its active principle partly by local 
and partly by general absorption : (which latter includes absorp- 
tion from foreign parts of his own system, and the general reser- 
voir,) which organ as it becomes relaxed will re-absorb the 
positive mesmerism from the like organ of the subject, which, in 
its turn, by dint of local re-absorption, will receive the negative 
mesmerism necessary to arouse it to action. I would have sup- 
posed that this sympathetic excitement could not have escaped 
the notice of any practical observer, as it is by no means of rare 
occurrence. 

The third method, perception, which is perhaps as useful as, 
and more applicable than either of the preceding ones, consists 
simply in informing the subject which faculty the operator desires 
to become excited. This may be accomplished in a variety of 
ways; by mental correspondence,* by which the subject will 
perceive what is expected of him ; by any external sign which 
may have been given him on a former occasion ; by telling the 
subject plainly the operator's desire ; or by any thing, whatever, 
being done which would indicate that desire to him. 

In a case of this kind, the susceptibility of the particular organ 
which the subject perceives it to be the intention of the operator 
to excite, is aroused by his apprehension of the excitement which 
is about to take place ; which causes it to collect the active prin- 
ciple by either loeal or general absorption, as the case may be. 

The general tenor of this last method agrees, I think, with Dr. 
Collyer's views of the subject, given at his lectures in Philadelphia 
in the spring of 1843, and embraces what he means to imply by 

" WILL." 

Any two, or all of these methods, may often be advantageously 
combined. 

These phenomena may also sometimes be produced by a third 
person, or one put in communication with the subject as in the 
case of the external sympathies; (see chapter IV., of taste, &c.,) 
and as they resemble them in many respects, are likewise governed 
by the same general principles. 

I deem it scarcely necessary to say more at present to prove 
my theory of absorption, which I think will be found intelligible 
to every person who is familiar with mesmeric phenomena, I may 
only add briefly, that in removing the influence from a subject, a 
complete mutual re-absorption between him and the operator takes 
place, either local or general, as the case may be — that where there 
is exhaustion, i. e. a loss of either the positive or negative principle, 
it is finally re-supplied by a gradual re-action from the general 



* See Part IT., Chapter 1. 



22 ABSORPTION. 

reservoir. And in order that t may not swell this part of my 
work beyond its intended limits, I shall conclude it by a few 
concise remarks on manipulation. I havealready alluded several 
times to the efficiency of manipulations, and premised that the 
ringers are excellent conductors, consequently manipulations are 
often used with great advantage during the operation, both as 
general conductors and absorbents for collecting any truant par- 
ticles of fluid which may have escaped the local absorption, and 
which might otherwise cause convulsions. 

Rev. La Roy Sunderland seems to entertain such a high opinion 
of manipulations in the operation, that in N$. 1, Vol. 2, of his 
"Magnet," a valuable monthly periodical on the subject of mes- 
merism, published in New York, he says that their use "will be 
found equally successful, and far better than the old process of 
staring persons in the face." By which delicate language, I 
presume he alludes to holding a connexion by having the eyes 
mutually fixed. With such an opinion I cannot agree ; for the eyes 
are both excellent and very natural conductors, and in many cases, 
such a connexion is indispensable in mesmerizing a new subject. 
In many cases, too, in which children are to be operated upon, and 
when it is impossible to hold their attention in any other way, it 
must be admitted to the "sine qua non" of the process. It is 
entirely foreign from my present design, to write a dissentation on 
the art of mesmerizing, although I have at my command the most 
ample resources for such a purpose ; still, whenever I meet with 
any thing under that head, the nature of which seems calculated 
to mislead, and rather to throw darkness than light upon the paths 
of investigation, I shall deem it my duty to correct it. 

In conclusion. In using manipulations for removing the in- 
fluence from a subject, the fingers are relaxed that they may re- 
absorb the positive mesmerism, and if "passes" are used they are 
generally made from the extremities toward the body, throwing, as it 
were, the negative mesmeric fluid upon the negative mesmeric 
points of the nervous fibres of the subject's system ; (which usually 
extend toward the extremities,) which now being called into action, 
are erected,-and consequently re-absorb the active principle. 



PART II. 

UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 



CHAPTER I. 

Man is not that independent, thinking, being, which, for 
many plausible reasons, he has long been, and still is generally 
supposed to be. 1 intend to reserve the general discussion of this 
subject, for a future and more proper occasion. In the mean time, 
however, I introduce the assertion, in this place, merely as a 
ground-work for a single position, that I am about to advance; 
namely, Universal Connexion : i. e. a general connexion of 
thought throughout the universe. This position will, doubtless, 
seem extremely novel at first, and to many, eccentric and absurd ; 
yet I shall not, on this account, hesitate to advance it, for it is both 
radical, and demonstrable ; nor do I despair of being able clearly 
to prove and support it, by bringing forward a succession of illus- 
trations, the evidence of which, cannot for a moment be doubted. 

In the first place, the mesmeric fluid, of which I have already 
given some description, has for its basis the electric fluid, (which 
is universal,) which fact alone pre-suppose a universal connexion; 
and was this fluid identical with the mesmeric fluid, doubtless the 
connexion would be much more complete than it now is ; as it is, 
however, the basis being modified by the human system, the 
strength, or weakness of the connexion (as with mesmeric experi- 
ments) depends greatly upon the proximity, or distance, to which 
the connexion is carried. * 



* In speaking, in a former chapter, of persons being mesmerized at the distance 
of half a mile, I do not mean to imply, that a connexion cannot be held at that 
distance; nor do I deny the possibility, in some cases, of performing the operation 
at that distance ; although there are many intervening circumstances that may 
interfere with the genuineness of such an experiment. Nor would I be understood 
to imply, that action of the nervous system does not embrace that mental action, 
which mesmerizers misname " will" But it is the absurdity of making such 
assertions in public, without their proper reasonings, to which I chiefly object; 
for rational people will not believe such statements, without, at least, a plausible 
explanation of them ; and consequently, they are worse than thrown away. 



24 UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 

Secondly. The basis, (electricity.) may at any time form a ve- 
hicle, or rather a medium, for the modifying principles of the mes- 
meric fluid. 

Thirdly. The manner of producing many mesmeric mental phe- 
nomena, is but an extension of our usual means of performing 
mental actions. 

"The possibility of mental transfer has been established beyond 
the remotest chance of a doubt." 

There can no longer be any doubt of the truth of the above 
quotation. Every mesmeric practitioner must be familiar with the 
fact, that a state of mental correspondence may often be produced. 

In producing the almost startling class of phenomena exhibited 
by this state, it is necessary, that the subject should receive, by 
local absorption, the mental impression from the brain of the.ope- 
rator, or person in communication with him. 

In order that the uninitiated may not be at a loss to know to 
what class of phenomena I have reference, I will insert the follow- 
ing extract from an article in the " Lehigh Bulletin/ 7 of August 
16, 1843: 

" On Tuesday evening, of last week, after going through a suc- 
cessful course of clairvoyant,* and phreno-magnetic experiments^ 
Dr. Yorke announced his intention of exhibiting on Thursday 
evening, an experiment with a bowl of molasses, by means of 
which, he would reflect t the rays of an embodied idea, from the 



* These experiments, though called clairvoyant, were mental correspondent,- 
exhibited in the ordinary manner. — The Author. 

| Dr. Collyer first introduced this experiment before the public, in the Spring 
of 1843, and since advocated it in his pamphlet, entitled, " Psycography ;" on 
which occasions, he explained it as the " reflection " of the rays of an embodied 
idea, from the surface of the liquid. It was having witnessed his experiments, 
that induced me to make the trial, on the present, as well as on several other oc- 
casions, with equal success ; and for some time, I felt quite enthusiastic about it. 
Since, however, I have discovered the error into which I was unwittingly led; 
therefore I correct it. 

After much anxious investigation to discover the truth of the hypothesis, I was 
compelled to relinquish my purpose. My subjects told me, upon inquiry, that, in 
many cases, when performing this experiment, the images seemed to rise out of 
the liquid ; whilst in others, the images appeared of their natural size, and entirely 
independent of the mirror. They told me too, that, in those cases in which the 
images seemed to rest upon the mirror, that appearance was caused by the per- 
sons in communication with them, holding upon their mental vision, the image of 
the mirror, in connexion with the image of t]ie object desired to be seen ; or by 
their own, (the subjects') knowledge of the presence of the mirror: and, conse- 
quently, their connecting its image with the image presented by local absorption. 
Which explanations I consider very rational. 

I also found that the same results took place, when the angles on the opposite 
sides of the mirror were unequal, as when equal. And, in fact, I found no change 
when I, (privately) removed the liquid altogether; for even then, by dint of the 
supposed presence of the mirror, the images were often seen, as before, resting 
upon the surface of the liquid. 

Again : if the rays of this medium were actually bent in a similar manner to 



UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 25 

brain of one person, looking into the bowl at a certain angle, to 
that of the recipient, at the same angle, on the opposite side. The 
announcement was, of course, received with much incredulity ; 
and even his most sanguine friends were disposed to smile at what 
they considered his enthusiasm. But Thursday evening came, 
and, after a few appropriate remarks, Dr. Y. threw a young man, 
of this place, into a magnetic sleep, in about fifteen minutes ; a 
table was then stood before him, upon which Dr. Y. placed a small 
bowl of molasses ; a medical gentleman, from the audience, then 
took a seat on the opposite side of the table, and was requested to 
look into*'the bowl, and bring before his mind, any image which 
he choose. The recipient seemed intensely searching for something 
in the liquid ; and, after a few moments, said, in a distinct and au- 
dible manner, * I see the State House, at Philadelphia.' A short 
pause ; when he added — w I see a wagon.' At this, the gentle- 
man stated that he had described the images of his thoughts to the 
very letter ; and that*the < wagon ' was the one well-known as the 
''Black Maria,' used to convey the prisoners. The result of this 
experiment was heard in profound silence by the audience, and 
so great was the sensation produced, that actual stupor and doubt 
seemed depicted on nearly every countenance. A clergyman then 
took the seat ; and, after a minute of breathless suspense, the re- 
cipient said, i I see an engine house with white doors' — a momen- 
tary pause — s now I see a church'— pause — 'they have brought 
the engine out, and stood it before the door ' — short pause — ' and 
now they seem to be drawing it through a large body of people.' 
At this moment, an involuntary exclamation of surprise escaped 
from the lips of the experimenter; which was followed by a burst 
of astonishment from the audience, as the flash of conviction fell 
upon their minds, whilst he described the scenery which had pass- 
ed through his mind, corresponding with what the recipient had 
said, in every particular. 

We saw Dr. Y. repeat this experiment on Saturday evening ; 
when, among others, a gentleman entirely skeptical took the seat, 
and brought before his mind, the falls of Niagara ; the recipient, 
after a moment's pause, and with some degree of apparent sur- 



those of reflected light, as Dr. Collyer supposes, the images would be seen, by 
the subject, in an inverted position ; which is not the case. He also, in his 
" Psycography," where he maintains the necessity of the angles, on either side, 
being equal, introduces, as a parallel case, the phenomenon of the Egyptian Magi, 
with the " magic mirror." But in the accounts which he there furnishes of the 
manner in which they perform this experiment, there is nothing, whatever, ad- 
duced to show that an equality of the angles was observed ; which, had it been 
done, could not have escaped the notice of the inquiring parties engaged in it. — 
Hence I shall consider the phenomenon in question, as a result of simple local 
absorption, without the necessity of bending the rays of the fluid. Though I am 
still perfectly willing to alter my opinion, whenever sufficient evidence shall be 
produced, to warrant me in doing so. 
4 



26 UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 

prise, cried out, ' Is it a dam ? ' The gentleman seemed to change 
his opinion. 

Another striking demonstration of mental correspondence which 
Dr. Y. gave, was this : One of the audience placed a row of six or 
seven pieces of money before the recipient ; Dr. Y. then told him 
to gather them up, one at a time, until the person who stood be- 
hind him willed him to stop. He commenced picking them up ; 
and, at trie will of the person near him, promptly stopped; it was 
requested to be repeated ; Dr. Y. consented ; and the same result 
took place, to the astonishment of the whole audience. The ex- 
periment was then tested by about twenty ladies and gentlemen, 
without a single failure." 

I might adduce many other equally striking and successful ex- 
periments, which have come under my immediate observation and 
practice ; but as that would not forward the chief design of this 
part of my work, (believing that the above-mentioned will suffice 
to point out the particular kind of phenomena of which I am now 
treating,) I shall not occupy the attention of the reader with them. 
It will be seen, as I have already hinted, that, by local absorption, 
i. e. by the active principle being conveyed from the brain of one 
person, to that of another, correct mental impressions may be 
transferred. These impressions too, as every practitioner knows, 
are often transferred to the lucid subject undesignedly ; and to a 
considerable distance. 

The degree of accuracy, with which an individual idea is thus 
transferred, depends upon the degree of the natural capacity of the 
parties to be in communication ; the distance between them, (on 
which, as I said before, depends the strength of the connexion,) 
and the degree of concentration upon that particular idea. I have 
already premised that this mesmeric communication is but a 
heightened degree of our natural* means of communication; 
hence it is governed by the same general laws, and a reduction of 
the accuracy of that communication, brings it more and more in 
proximity with our usual mode of communication ; until, finally, 
it commingles with it, and they are lost in each other. 

According to the above, the universal basis of the mesmeric 
fluid, forms a medium for connecting, in a greater or less degree, 
the minds, the thoughts, the immaterial parts of all mankind. 

This connexion is manifested in a variety of ways ; not only in 
the mesmeric condition, but also in many cases of nervous disease, 
and in the normal state. 

I have already shown some instances of mesmeric connexion ; I 
will adduce one instance more, which bears a greater proximity to 
natural connexion. Having repeatedly mesmerised Master George 



* I use this word, merely in contradistinction to mesmeric, to imply that there 
has been no voluntary effort to increase the strength of the connexion. 



UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 27 

Wundcrlich, a lad eighteen or nineteen years old, at Allentown, 
Pa., I took, what I then considered, my final departure from that 
place, for Reading, distant thirty-six miles ; whence, after remain- 
ing upwards of two weeks, I unexpectedly returned to Allentown, 
being very anxious to find George, for the purpose of testing some 
mesmeric experiments. On my arrival, I was not a little surprised 
to learn that George had anticipated my coming j and with such 
certainty, that he could not rest until he had satisfied himself of 
the fact, by inquiring for me. He said that he " knew " that I 
was coming ; but how he knew, he was unable to tell ; but added, 
at the same time, " Is it possible that you have such a powerful 
influence over me ? " 

Elucidation. There was a strong natural connexion between 
the fluids of our systems ; which had been rendered stronger, by 
our former mesmeric communion. By our proximity, and the ex- 
treme activity of my mind, from anxiety to find him ; and tr»at 
activity too, being strongly concentrated upon him, as it had often 
been before, my brain was rendered particularly .susceptible to that 
same modification of the active principle, which had supplied it, 
on many former occasions, when its action was concentrated upon 
the same object. At our greatest proximity, which was a little 
less than a quarter of a mile, (my lodging being that distance from 
where he was at the time,) there being, as I have intimated, a 
strong connexion, my system, (the electric fluid being the medium,) 
absorbed from his the active principle. This condition alone, 
might have caused such feelings to him, as he had often before 
felt in my presence ; and thus reminded him of me. This feeling, 
however, being aroused on his part, may have caused a re-absorp- 
tion from my system ; and thus fully corroborated his first im- 
pression. 

In disease, this phenomenon is often strikingly manifested. I 
visited an old lady, last summer, in Northampton County, Pa., 
who had been blind for several years. This remarkable personage 
is constantly in a state of semi-mental lucidity. After conversing 
for half an hour, I discovered that she was taking cognizance of 
my thoughts, by absorption, in a very accurate manner. This 
lady almost invariably anticipates the (irregular) visits of her phy- 
sician arid friends, within a few minutes. 

In seeking in the normal state, for a parallel to the above, I will- 
simply point the reader to the vulgar phrase, "Speak of the Devil, 
and he ivill appear. 77 It is a remarkable and well-established fact 
that persons do make their appearance in company, whilst being 
spoken of, or thought of, much oftener than for which the rules of 
chance will account ; hence it is that the above phrase has been 
repeatedly heard by nearly every one. The proper reading, how- 
ever, is, When an acquaintance approaches, he is spoken of. 

This remarkable mental phenomenon, like every thing else that 



*S UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 

savours of the wonderful, has oftener elicited momentary surprise, 
than philosophic enquiry. I think that the same principles of con- 
nexion, and absorption, which I adduced in the former cases, will 
satisfactorily explain it. Deeming these instances sufficient of 
their kind, to give the reader some idea of what I mean by uni- 
versal connexion, which cannot be doubted in the mesmeric state, 
I shall proceed to draw still closer analogies between this, and the 
normal state. 



CHAPTER II. 

Who does not know that we can convey our ideas to some per- 
sons, with much greater facility, than to others? And who does 
not know, too, that we can better convey them to those with whom 
we are familiar, -than to strangers ? Why is it so ? becomes a 
matter of rational enquiry. 

One obvious reason why we can better communicate to some 
than others, is, that the connexion is naturally stronger — that the 
capacity to be in correspondence is greater. For, although in con- 
versation, our words, (as such,') may be as intelligible to one, as 
another, the fact that the fluids of our systems, do not so readily 
commingle in some cases, as in others, is sufficient to create a vast 
difference in the efficacy with which we are capable of rendering 
our ideas comprehensible. 

That it is not the sound of words alone, which conveys an idea 
to the mind, is evident; notwithstanding that we may be quite fa- 
miliar with those sounds ; hence it is, that, when one's mind is 
already engaged, he may be addressed with the most distinct 
words, the sound of which, the ear cannot exclude, yet they will 
not convey the intended impression to the mind. To make him 
understand the meaning of the sounds, we must have his attention^ 
i. e. his susceptibility must be excited, which will render him ca- 
pable of absorbing from our systems, the principle necessary to 
complete the idea which the signs of sound may have caused his 
excited susceptibility to anticipate. 

This ability to yield the attention, or to become in correspon- 
dence, differs in different individuals, as I have already hinted ; 
and upon this depends, in part, the greater facility with which we 
can convey our ideas to some persons than to others. I shall be 
told, that the ability to give the attention to the speaker, depends 
upon some peculiarities of temperament — certain conditions of 
phrenological developement — a general capacity to concentrate 
the mind, &c. I admit that it does; and, in return, reply, that 
upon these very same conditions, depends, in a great degree, the 



UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 29 

'capacity to conduct, successfully, the phenomena of mesmeric 
mental correspondence. 

Doubtless, some reader has, by this time, enquired, how we are 
to account for the capacity to convey ideas by means of writing, 
&c, and how it is that we are capable of receiving mental impres- 
sions, from books, which, being inanimate, could not possibly sup- 
ply the necessary fluid, for the confirming of an idea? 

In cases of this kind, the susceptibility is excited by certain 
forms (of words,) which the mind recognizes as having before 
seen ; i. e. these certain forms comport with impressions which 
have formerly been deposited upon the brain, which impressions, 
consist of a fluid under such peculiar modifications as to be recog- 
nized by the mind, to contain some particular meaning, as I have 
stated in a former chapter ; and which, when excited, may be com- 
bined in such a manner as will produce the necessary, susceptibility 
of the author's meaning; which excited' susceptibility, may be con- 
firmed simply by the reader's absorbing the active basis, either from 
foreign parts of his own system, or the general reservoir. 

No sign of form, however, which the author may make, although 
he may attach to it the most important meaning, will convey the in- 
tended idea to th^ mind of the reader; unless it comports with some 
mental impression already resident upon the brain ; which impres- 
sion was created on some former occasion, by joining a particular 
meaning to a similar sign ; and which now may serve to connect 
this external sign with a similar meaning. Finally: this method of 
communication is weaker and less accurate than that of personal 
correspondence ; for it loses the great advantage of local absorption, 
and the advantage of communion by the eyes, which are unrivalled 
conductors of the t fluid ; which renders them, as it were, the " index 
to the soul." 

Who does not know, that, when persons wish to interchange 
their ideas, they get as close together as convenient? g Who ever 
saw two persons conversing with their backs towards each other, 
or with their eyes shut, for the purpose of facilitating their corres- 
pondence ? I think no one. 

I have not written this last section so much to strengthen my 
present position of universal connexion, as to avoid the appearance 
of inconsistency ; and to furnish an excellent, analogy to a part of 
mesmerism, which has not yet received its due share of attention. 
It is this : that some subjects have the capacity of going into the 
mesmeric state, from sheer belief that the mesmerizer is operating 
upon them. 

Elucidation. The susceptibility of the" subject is excited by 
his anticipating the result, in a similar manner to that in which it 
had been excited on a previous occasion, when in presence of the 
mesmerizer ; which renders him susceptible to the same result.— 
And, though it may be urged that he absorbs the principle for 



30 UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 

confirming his anticipation, from his mesmerizer, with whom he 
may be in communication, it seems reasonable to suppose that a 
great part of the confirming principle is absorbed from the general 
reservoir; which confirming principles, however, is often modified 
by his susceptibility, in such a manner as will place him in com- 
munication with no one, save the person whom he supposed to be 
mesmerizing him. 

Again ; we can better communicate with those whom we know, 
than with strangers ; because the connexion of the fluids of, our 
nervous systems has been rendered stronger by dint of repeated 
approximation, correspondence, &c. The strength of this connexion 
is augmented by long-continued and frequent correspondence ; and 
is weakened by distance, and the length of time which that distance 
may be continued. In a word, this condition is governed by the 
common laws of connexion and absorption. 

Besides what has already been advanced in favor of universal 
connexion, it only remains for me to refer the reader to the mani- 
festations of this law, in its powerful effects upon tribes, communi- 
ties, neighborhoods, and nations, to satisfy him entirely of its validity. 

Why do the different members of a tribe possess the same gene- 
ral character — the same ideas of G-od and eternity — the same mea- 
sure of justice, &c, with each other ? Because of the general com- 
mingling of the mesmeric fluid of their systems, by the laws of 
mutual absorption — of action and re-action — of equilibrium, &c. 
It has been disputed (upon what ground I know not) that a "ge- 
neral idea ". ever existed. In my opinion, general ideas are not 
at all unusual. For instance : neighborhoods and communities 
entertain the same general idea of right and wrong — the same 
general regard for the wonderful — the same disposition towards 
hospitality, &c. I know that imit advenes s may have its especial 
weight in some of these things ; it may teach men to construct the 
same kind of dwellings — to adopt similar forms and customs in 
living ; but it will never teach them to think alike — it will never 
excite them to mutual enthusiasm upon a particular doctrine of 
religion (numerous, and startling instances of which, every reader 
must have before his mind,) no ; it requires a more potent law of 
nature, to accomplish these purposes ; that which spreads the me- 
dium of thought throughout the habitable globe, and forms a uni- 
versal connexion between all mankind ! In extended nations too, 
this principle is still manifest ; though diminishing in strength as it 
extends ; according to the distance to which it is carried, &c. I 
might adduce many other evidences of equal weight with these 
that I have briefly given ; but, thinking that I have already said 
enough to illustrate the point in question, I shall reserve the more 
elaborate discussion of it for a future occasion. 

In conclusion, I can see nothing particularly eccentric in the 
opinion that there exists a universal medium of thought, which 



UNIVERSAL CONNEXION. 31 

may be capable of conveying any modification, from the human 
system, that may be consigned to it ; especially when I reflect that 
there does exist a certain universal medium which is capable of 
conveying modifications in the form of epidemic diseases, &c, a 
striking instance of which, we have in the Asiatic Cholera ; which 
spread its invincible terrors throughout the earth ! 



CHAPTER III. 



Clairvoyance, or the ability to see through substances which 
are opaque with respect to common light, is one of the most dim- 
cult conditions which mesmerism now aims to produce. I have 
premised an explanation of this phenomenon in the commence- 
ment of this work. 

By this faculty, the subject is enabled to see through space, and 
substance, having the universal connecting principle for the me- 
dium of his mental vision, to an immense distance ; when he ac- 
tually sees objects as they exist, without being informed of their 
condition in any other manner. And, as his mental vision is not 
restrained by any external apparatus, as is the natural vision, he 
has no 'difficulty on this account, in discerning small objects at a 
distance, with the same facility, as large ones. I suppose, in some 
instances, however, when a subject gives an account of what is 
passing at a distance, that he establishes a communication with 
some individual who is present at the scene which he is con- 
templating ; and thus, although at considerable distance from that 
individual, gains his information from him, by local absorption. 
This, however, is very difficult to determine. 

This state of mental lucidity too, has also been manifested with- 
out the aid of mesmerftm, as in the cases of young Yarnell, (the 
Frankford boy) Emanuel Sweedenborge, and some others. 



PART III. 

consequences' of mesmerism. 



CHAPTER I. 

The general Adoption of mesmerism into any community, must 
be attended with the most important results. At present, however, 
the subject is enveloped in such mystery, and the usual explana- 
tions of its phenomena savour so much of the magic, and astound- 
ing, that the attention of the mass is attracted more by its novelty 
than its usefulness — more through a desire to be astonished, than 
to be enlightened. Oftentimes too, its phenomena are so startling 
and unaccountable, as to cause even those who have produced 
them, to doubt the evidence of their own senses. This -state of 
things is calculated to give rise to ample scope for the propagation 
of quackery. For, whilst those of the multitude persist in grasping 
at what they consider the ridiculous, the absurd, rather than the 
plain and intelligible, whilst they evince a sickly desire to be de- 
ceived, rather than fail in their attempt to be astonished, there will 
always be found those who are prepared to cram their gaping 
mouths with that loo palatable nostrum — vulgarly termed " hum- 
bug." And until the subject takes a more scientific turn than it 
has heretofore enjoyed, these evils are des^ned to continue and in- 
crease. 

Owing, too, to the great ignorance which is prevalent upon the 
subject, joined to this love of the wonderful, many radical, and 
ofttimes hazardous errors will continually be committed ; and igno- 
rant operators will often become dupes to their own folly. 

In almost every branch of mesmerism, many false, impressions 
may be made upon the subject ; (i. e. such impressions as are made 
by causes which escape the detection of the unwary operator,) 
which produce delusive phenomena — in appearance, so much like 
genuine ones, that it is often a matter of great delicacy to separate 
the two classes. For instance, in endeavoring to produce clair- 
voyant results, much care is necessary to be taken, lest the subject 
be influenced by the minds of those around him ; as in mental cor- 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 33 

respondence, which would totally destroy the genuineness of the 
result. I have often. met with this kind of confusion, and where it 
is not sufficiently guarded against in cases of the examination of 
internal diseases, the most dangerous consequences may ensue. 
I have seen dupes, too,^ to this^rror, where I thought that I had least 
reason to look for them — even among those who had gained some 
notoriety as mesmerizers, I have found cases in which they com- 
sidered the statements of one recipient, upon a particular subject, 
greatly corroborated by the corresponding statements of several 
other recipients, when it must have been evident beyond a doubt, 
to any'one acquainted with the subject, that there were false im- 
pressions produced by local absorption, i. e. mental correspondence 
between the operator and recipient. Such apparent errors, whether 
committed through ignorance, or for the, purpose of deceiving, 
often form the connecting link between the sublime and ridicu- 
lous, and furnish our opponents with abundant material for raillery. 

Indeed, owing to the rare satisfactory production of the clair- 
voyant state, many of our modern mesmerizers, who have not been 
able to produce it, doubt the existence of it altogether; I for some 
time, did the same, but since I have given the subject a careful 
examination, I no longer hesitate to yield it my support. 

On the other hand, a few modern operators claim for mesme- 
rism, a condition of prophetic vision. I have met with several re- 
markable, and seemingly unaccountable phenomena of this kind ; 
which I forbear inserting, because I have not yet adopted the 
hypothesis, yet I am far from being prepared to reject it. This, 
indeed, would seem like crossing the threshold of the spiritual 
world, and would throw consternation upon many who should 
consider it an ungodly attempt to elevate man beyond his proper 
sphere. I would, however, calm the fears of such, as well as allay 
any expectation that may be. abroad, of a general participation in 
this novel branch of ontology, with the words of Rev. Mr. Town- 
shend, who says, " In being permitted to view the mesmeric state, 
there is nothing to make man proud ; but all to make him humble. 
Then too, mesmerism has its restrictions which keep it low to 
earth; even while it hints to heaven. Many are the conditions 
required for its accomplishment. Carefully hedged about, is it, by 
the barriers of opposing will ; by defective sensibility; even by a 
spirit of skepticism. Its highest capacities are exercised with dif- 
ficulty — its loftiest wonders are few and fleeting." 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 



CHAPTER II. 

The chief advantage that we have thus far gained from m'esme~ 
fism, is its healing virtues ; which cannot be too highly esteemed, 
As a remedial agent, it is the most natural, and most effectual 
means with which nature's God has endowed us. It has already- 
severed the compact long established between death and several 
formidable diseases; and is the most potent antagonist with* which 
that last visitant of mortals has to contend. When judiciously ap- 
plied, it has often been found successful in the cure of 'Nervous 
Headache, Chronic Pains, that excruciating malady the Tooth- 
ache, Convulsions, Locked-Jaw, St. Vitus Dance, Tic Douloureux, 
Catalepsy, Spinal Disease, Blindness, and many other maladies 
that "flesh is heir to." 

Its usefulness in producing insensibility- of the system in cases of 
surgical operations, is incalculable. Yet many of our Medical In- 
stitutions deny the reality of mesmerism altogether, and, regarding 
it as a species of chicanery, have closed, and barred, and sealed 
their doors against it; so that they will neither admit it, nor are 
they likely to discern from their isolated stronghold. " what man- 
ner- of thing" it is, that they have thus excluded. A remarkable 

instance of this character recently occurred in on^ccasion of 

a report being read, of a case of the amputation of a limb, without 
causing pain, whilst the patient was under mesmeric influence. 
But I need not now record the inconsistent, I might justly say, the 

contemptible conduct, of some of the members of upon 

this occasion, as it must be remembered by all, to have been total- 
ly unworthy of such men ; and must long remain a stigma on their 
philosophic pretentions, whilst it will stand as a sturdy column 
of patience, in the annals of mesmerism. 

Much stress has been placed on the assertion "that, if mesme- 
rism really posesses the dignity that it claims, it would 'have been 
brought to light by the regularly bred man of science ; and not 
have been left to the investigation of a few obscure individuals." 
But have we not regularly bred men of science engaged in its ad- 
vocacy? What are Dr. Eliottson and Dr. Collyer ? What are the 
hosts of German and French Professors ? It is true that some 
other intelligent and benevolent persons have entered the field as 
mesmerizers, and efficient ones too. I shall not, however, essay 
to palliate the gross inconsistency of some not being learned men ; 
for I esteem truth equally pure, beautiful, and valuable, whether it 
flows through the channel of the unsophisticated, unbiased reason of. 
Nature's favored pupil, or the hedged intellect of him, who, 
reared within the precints of the nursery's walls, has been taught 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 35 

byJiis college axioms, to revere with sacred awe, the preconcep- 
tifns of his respective preceptor. And in fact, I begin to fear that 
if our Medical Schools still persist with their blindness, in excluding 
a knowledge of the very fundamental laws of the human economy 
from their regular course of instruction, the time is not far off, 
when their diplomas will be regarded as but a pitiful testimony of 
medical knowledge. . 

Did my limits permit, I might name many benevolent and per- 
severing mesmerizers, in this country and in Europe, who have 
successively applied mesmerism as a medical agent — who have 
eradicated several diseases between which and death, scarcely a sha- 
dow was discernable — who have repelled some of the most loath- 
some, and ugliest enemies to health, that venture to assail our 
species ; and who have reared monuments to the triumph of mes- 
merism, which the indifference, the bigotry, and the prejudice of 
ten thousand medical institutions cannot overthrow ; as it is, I may 
not, nor have I room to give the particulars of but few of the many 
cases with which I have met, of the successful application of this 
ageht as a therapuetic. Dr. Collyer relates a case in which a per- 
son apparently dead, and whose coffin had already been procured, 
was resuscitated by its application; and I cannot too forcibly im- 
press its importance in this capacity, upon the mind of every phi- 
lanthropist. Undoubtedly, many persons are supposed dead, long 
before they really are so ; and as long as a single spark of vitality 
remains upon the system, especially if the system has been formerly 
rendered susceptible to the mesmeric influence, a mesmeric com- 
munication may be established, by which a 'departing spirit 
might often be recalled to inhabit for a while longer, its earthly 
home. 

It is worthy of remark in this place, that in an attempt to introduce 
any new remedy into medical practice, the innovator is required in 
the outset, to perform cures in the most hopeless cases that can be 
found; which have baffled the efficacy of every established mode 
of practice. He must perform miracles, and repeat them, under 
every possible disadvantage ; and, this too, in the very infancy of 
his art, before he is able to bring his remedy into notice. • This is 
emphatically the case with respect to mesmerism, which is not 
only capable of curing diseases which all other known remedies 
have failed to cure ; but, when judiciously applied, is a very 
pleasant, prompt, and safe cure for many others which are often 
successfully treated by the usual modes of practice. In short, its 
influence imparts general vigor to the declining system; and in 
cases in which only a part of the system is affected, and the system 
generally is brought under mesmeric influence, the affected part 
will, by a natural right and capacity, absorb to itself, the healthy 
fluid which its convalescence requires, according to that valuable 
law of equilibrium, before alluded to. 



36 CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 

Upon the healthy system, too, its judicious application may he 
repeated day after day, without any disadvantageous results. 

Besides this, the healing virtues of mesmerism aspire to purposes 
of a far more exalted character; they purpose to heal diseases of 
the mind — to restore to health the wandering intellect — to bring 
back departed reason — to assuage the mental woes of afflicted man, 
with a power and precision, at which no other remedy ever yet 
aimed. Repeated cases of both total and partial insanity, have 
been cured by them. A variety of the most important and thril- 
ling mental phenomena that can be imagined, have come within 
the scope of my immediate practice. For an example^ I will in- 
sert the following brief notice of an interesting case. From the 
Reading Gazette, Nov. 18, 1843: — 

"I first saw Miss H , of Reading, Pa., (the subject of the above 

mentioned operation,) at a public lecture which I gave at that place 
Nov. 13th, 1843. On this occasion she was led forward to the plat- 
form incompany with another, desiring to be mesmerized. I ob- 
served at the time, a peculiar reservedness in her manner, for which 
I did not then attempt to account ; yet I have since attributed it to 
the real state of her mind. Amid the very limited opportunity of 
learning the character of a subject, and the usual restlessness and en- 
thusiasm exhibited at such public lectures, in this country, I seated 
the above mentioned young lady. But, after exciting her suscepti- 
bility, ajid commencing the absorption, I was led, by observing the 
eccentric progress of the operation, to apprehend some unusual phe- 
nomenon : which prompted me to desist from throwing her into the 
state, before the audience. I therefore, removed the influence, and 
concluded my lecture with some other experiments ; immediately 
after which, feeling interested in the case of Miss H., I obtained a 
private introduction to her, and during the same evening, performed 
the operation alluded to by Mr. Miller. 

Instead of an elaborate history of this case, suffice it to be said, 
that Miss H. had given her affections to a certain gentleman, Mr. 

T ■, of R , which had been but illy requited by him. 

This, her reason was unable to support — she became broken 
hearted — in a word, a monomaniac. In a fit of calmness, however, 
when reason presided over the passions, when self control held the 
sway over the more tender feelings, she resolved, through the 
agency of mesmerism, to banish from her mind, all remembrance 
of the joyless past. 

When I took her out of the stale, she was a different being ! 
Instead of that wan, dejected look, which, but a few minutes before 
had marked her features, and beneath which reason itself seemed 
to reel, there now beamed from her cheerful countenance, all that 
sprightly joyousness so characteristic of health, youth, and inno- 
cence ; not even a vestage of her former sadness remained; he 
who had harrassed her mind, found no longer a place in her afTee- 






■ CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 37 

tions ; when his name was mentioned, she denied having ever 
heard it before — when the circumstances were alluded to, she did 
not recognize them. The facts seemed to have vanished from her 
mind, as though they had never existed. 

In reply to my questions, she said that she had forgotten nothing, 
but that a great weight had been removed from her mind, and 
that she felt unusually and unaccountably happy. Some days af- 
ter this, she was. intentionally brought face to face with him she 
had once known and loved ; and it was a moment of the most 
thrilling interest to her skeptical friends, who were acquainted 
with the facts, when they observed the modest, unchanging ex- 
pression of her features, as she said " she had not before met him." 

This state of things continued for two weeks. In the mean time 
some notice of the facts had been taken by the public prints, which 
gave rise to circumstances that rendered it necessary to procure a 
greater amount of evidence than was then extant, to prove that 
the lady had ever made the statement to her friend, concerning 
Mr. T. 

In the condition of affairs I was again called : I stated to Miss 
H., that to prevent her friends becoming involved in serious diffi- 
culties, she must be mesmerized, and throw herself upon our gen- 
erosity for a few minutes. 

Without comprehending what was to be done, she consented ; 
I mesmerized her, and desiring her to recall all the circumstances 
which I had formerly caused her to forget, took her out of the 
state, w^hen she raised her eyes, and immediately burst into a 
flood of tears. Here again I recognized ihe features of her who 
had been led forward at my lecture. I shall not attempt to delini- 
ate the feelings of any one present ; words cannot convey an idea 
of the anguish depicted in that appealing look of despair. — All her 
former grief had returned, and with it, a remembrance of all the 
particulars concerning him she had loved. 

She at first, refused to answer any questions concerning him ; 
but, after telling her the necessity of the tale being re-told, and that 
she snould in a few minutes forget all again, she recited, as calmly 
as possible, the particulars of the source of her woes : when, hav- 
ing obtained .the necessary evidence, I again closed the scence, and 
in a few minutes more re-awoke her to* the enjoyment of cheerful- 
ness, health, and happiness. The statement which she had just 
given, corresponded exactly with that given to her friend just two 
weeks before. 

Elucidation. The impressions made upon the brain, by the 
painful circumstances in question, had become "diseased by the 
continued increase of the active principle upon them ; whicli ren- 
dered them peculiarly susceptible to the re-action of the inactive 
principle. By an effort, the subject allayed the excitement of the 
impressions : thus causing the parts containing them, to absorb an 

• 
1 



3S CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 

abundance of positive mesmerism, which displaced the active 
principle, and rendered the impressions too faint to be recognized 
by the mind, when in the normal state. 

This power to allay the excitement of a mental impression, is 
not peculiar to the mesmeric state ; it is but an extension of the 
same capacity which many of us can exercise in a low degree, 
whilst in the normal state.* 

Several months after the above had occurred, and a short time 
previous to this work going to press, I addressed a letter to Mr. 
Miller, wishing to know the final termination of this case. The 
following is a copy of-his letter in reply. 

Reading, April 1th, 1844. 
Dr. A. Yorke. 

Sir.^I have received yours of the 1st inst., asking information 

concerning the case of Miss H -, and as you desire that I shall 

be careful that the evidence be accurate and impartial, I shall say 
nothing for which I cannot vouch. 

About one month after your departure from Reading, Mr. 

T , the young man who she said caused the trouble, was 

taken to the house of Miss H , and asked her "do youknow 

me?" she replied "yes;" but denied the circumstances. The 
next day, my wife, in my presence, went into a detail of every 
thing which she had said concerning the transaction, and of what 
had been done for her relief. It appeared to me, that during the 
recital a light was dawning upon her mind, when finished, she 
declared it was all true, and that she remembered it distinctly. 
Yet I could detect no appearance of grief or sorrow, neither at that 

time, or since. She now associates with Mr. T , but appears 

to consider him as an acquaintance only. 

I am very respectfully yours, 

W. R. Miller. 

By this letter it is shown that a knowledge of the forgotten cir- 
cumstances has been recalled ; this, however, for along time*with- 
stood the daily efforts of her acquaintances, who, as they could not 
believe the existence of the phenomenon, used every means in 
their power, to bring back to her mind, the forgotten facts. The 
value of the operation, however, has not been lessened in the 
slightest degree by thistermination ; for the remembrance of the 
facts has returned — stripped of all its grief and sorrow, a know- 
ledge of the facts has been restored to her perceptive faculties ; but 
the exiled woes that formerly attended them, will never return to 
their native home — the propensities. 



*See the conclusion of this chapter for an elucidation of the recalling of the 
facts which had been forgotten. 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM; 39 

" It will be said, that time would have had the same effect in re- 
moving the grief from the mind of Miss H . So it might : 

but it would have exhausted and impaired her system, to have 
waited for the cure of that tardy physician. — And this is what I 
have prevented by mesmerism. 

Finally. View this mesmeric phenomena in every particular — 
trace it carefully down through all its various stages, until -it is 
lost in the normal state ; and it will greatly corroborate my posi- 
tion respecting the homogeneousness of the phenomena of two 
conditions. 

The use of mesmerism in educating, too, is invaluable; and in 
this, it is, that the value of the capacity to excite the different facul- 
ties of the mind is chiefly manifested. The moral faculties of the 
subject may be stimulated t*> increased action ; whilst the animal 
propensities, where their action is too strong, may be subdued. — 
The perceptive and reflective faculties may be rendered more ac- 
tive : which will add strength to the powers of memory and reason. 
In fact, the whole man may be rej^Kiied. All the finer quali- 
ties of the mind may be made to flny their greatness; whilst 
the courser'ones are made subservllff to them. Facts, too, the 
particulars of which had been forgotten years before, which it had 
baffled every ordinary effort of the mind to recall, have, through 
this agency, been brought back to the knowledge of the subject, 
with every circumstance connected with them, as distinctly deline- 
ated, as though they had occurred within the last hour. 

Elucidation. The knowledge thus recalled, although it had 
been dormant in the memory for years, h*L never yet gone out of 
it ; i. e. the impressions made upon the brain by the deposites of 
fluid, modified by the external causes of sensation, which were 
present years before, had never yet been entirely erased, although 
the lapse of time, by dint of the law of equilibrium, might have 
rendered them very faint. These faint impressions are now 
aroused by concentrating the whole attention upon them, using 
contagious impressions (as in cases of ordinary recollection,) to 
point them out: the effect of this, is to excite the susceptibility of 
the pans of the system containing the impressions in question ; thus 
causing them to absorb from the general reservoir, the active 
principle necessary for the confirmation of the impressions. 

It will be seen that there is nothing here proposed, but what has 
already been premised, namely : an extension of our natural men- 
tal capacities. In this case, an increase of the power of recollection. 

The above faint outline of an explanation, which has been given 
that I may not subject myself tothe same charge of inconsistency 
that I» B have brought against others, in the forepart of this work, 
for leaving their assertions in too crude a state to merit belief, em- 
braces a portion of my theory of memory, at which I have already 
hinted several times, namely : That each external cause of sensa- 



40' CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 

tidn produces a peculiar modification of the mesmeric fluid, which 
is then deposited upon an appropriate part of the nervous system, 
where its peculiar import is recognized .by the mind. That the 
strength' of this peculiar modification, depends upon the degree of 
concentration, with which it is made, the qualities and the quan- 
tity of the confirming principle, the length of time that its action 
is continued, the lapse of time .from the cessation of its action un- 
til it is again called forth, &c. And that an external cause of sen- 
sation, bearing a relation to that which formerly produced the 
resident modification, is capable of producing, a modification, 
which, by its congeneality will commingle with the former dor- 
mant modification, and excite its susceptibility to a re-supply of 
the confirming principle, and thus reproduce the original mental 
impression. But I have rather digressed from my subject; I shall 
now return to it, leaving the special consideration of memory, for 
a future occasion. 



■*■ 



CHAPTER III. 

The great, benevolent, and legitimate design of clairvoyance^ 
seems to be the examination of internal diseases. 

By this capacity,.a lucid subject will often. point out the diseased 
parts of the system, either of himself or of another, with the great- 
est accuracy. This, hmvever, I am inclined to think, is often done 
by a peculiar modification of clairvoyance ; which enables the sub- 
ject to see with greater facility, on account of his close communi- 
cation with the patient, than he otherwise could do. (This pur- 
pose, too, is often effected without the necessity of clairvoyance. 
I think that it may also be practically applied to other benevolent 
purposes. 

This necessity for benevolence, in true hicid mesmeric phenome- 
na, is a sad poser to many of our mercenary would-be-skeptics. It 
is the part of mesmerism, which above all others, they are least 
willing should be true ! If, says one, you can prove the truth of 
clairvoyance, under any circumstances whatsoever, I shall be sure 
to double my wealth next year, by digging up hidden treasures 
&c. In fact some such mercenary attempts have already been 
made, the results of which I need not mention ; as the mesmeric 
vis operandi requires an exercise of benevolence ; and certainly 
there is nothing particularly benevolent in the proposition # of our 
opponent, who, when he finds his anticipations foiled by fhe very 
spirit of the subject, sneers at what he tries to consider a happy 
hit on the part of mesmerism, to avoid scrutiny. 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 41 

We want more benevolence in the world : or rather, we want a 
greater exercise of that faculty than we now have. And until 
men cease to pervert their noble mental endowments, until they 
become convinced that "the love of money is the root of all evil," 
the most lamentable evidence of which has been developed in 
every age of the world, mesmerism can never, and will never be- 
come a subject of general use and application. 

Each one of ninety-nine persons, out of every hundred with 
whom we meet, (in this country at least,) is eagerly striving to 
swallow up the substance of the remaining ninety-eight — a thing 
in itself, morally impossible, the whole soul seems absorbed in the 
one ideal, the greatest of all possible follies — an attempt to get rich, 
a thing in which no sane man ever yet succeeded. 

Every efficient mesmerizer, I think, can attest to the justice of 
my remarks upon the high office which the benevolent feelings 
perform in the vis^operandi. We know that when we are suddenly 
called upon to throw a patient into the mesmeric state, who is suf- 
fering in any way, and our sympathies are excited by his condi- 
tion, (making every allowance for his susceptibility,) we are capa- 
ble of exercising a degree of power, to which we are entire 
strangers, when operating merely for the sake of experiment. In 
the former case, we find our subject passing into a deep and tran- 
quil state, with an ease and a rapidity, which plainly show us that 
Ave are really at work ! Whilst in the latter, the effort that we 
are often compelled to make, teaches us that there is a want of 
stimulas, and that our power is a mere plaything, when benevolence 
is not enlisted. 

Mesmerism, like many other useful things that we have confided 
to our charge, is liable to some extent of abuse ; I am satisfied, 
however, that the apprehensions on this account, of many who 
have but partially examined the subject, are entirely ungrounded. 
From the tenor of my former remarks, it will be seen, I thi-nk, 
that the laws which govern mesmerism, will, in a most beautiful 
manner, confine the exercise of its higher powers, to those to whom 
it naturally and properly belongs. And I am fully persuaded that 
much more evil will result from ignorance, than design. Experi- 
ence, too, fully corroborates this opinion ; for, whilst we have re- 
ports, almost weekly, of unpleasant results arising from the mal- 
practice of some incompetent operator, we have but few, if even 
one solitary authentic instance, of the power having been designed- 
ly abused, since Mesmer first introduced the subject in Europe, 
nearly a century ago. 

I anticipate that my theory of local absorption and exhaustion, 
given in my modus operandi, may, at first thought, be called into 
question in this place. I will, therefore, subject it to the test. 
There we see that the activity of a faculty of the operator, reduces 
the activity of the corresponding one of the subject : the same will 
6 



44 CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. > 

be the case here. — If the operator's design toward the subject is 
evil, the faculties of destructiveness, secretiveness, cautiousness, 
combativetiess, &c, will necessarily be active. This, indeed, would 
tend to exhaust the corresponding faculties of the subject ; and 
could this state of things continue unchanged, the most dangerous 
results might be looked for. But, where is the thing in human 
shape so void of conscientiousness, that is able to keep up an un- 
remitting determination to injure, in any way, a person who has 
just confided himself to his protection ? And unless he is capable 
of exercising such natural, such demonical concentration, his pur- 
pose must utterly fail. For at most, he can only exercise his de- 
structive faculties alternately with his better feelings, which will 
cause a confused re-action — the subject will become restless—will 
grow alarmed — and although he knows not why, will oppose the 
efforts of the operator ; thus, a feeling of antipathy is established, 
and the susceptibility of the subject is destroyed. But even sup- 
posing that he should succeed in inducing the state, the subject, 
upon any injury being offered him, would immediately arouse his 
energies, and throw off the influence. For nineteen subjects out 
of twenty, are capable of coming out of the state at will; and the 
reason of their not generally doing so, is that their condition is a 
pleasant one. But just as soon as the state becomes unpleasant, just 
so soon, will they call their energies into action, and come out of it. 
And even in those cases in which they do not possess this pow- 
er, their failing in their attempt to exercise it, will throw them into 
convulsions ; which is the most disastrous consequence that I can 
conceive, of actual designed abuse of the mesmeric power. 

I cannot, however, be too positive in my denunciations against 
the attempts of persons to mesmerize, who have never examined 
the nature of the subject, especially ^when their motive is mere 
curiosity. In attempting to relieve the suffering, they will be 
less.likely to do harm ; but even should they do so, would be far 
more excusable, than under the former circumstances. 

From an unwary practice of this kind, I have known very seri- 
ous consequences to ensue. Persons are thrown into a profound 
mesmeric state, from which the untutored operator finds it impos- 
sible to arouse them ; and the most fearful, and painful convulsions 
often result from such temerity. During my visit to Easton, last 
summer, I was called to remove the influence from a young man 
who had been suffering painful spasms and convulsions, for forty- 
eight hours, in consequence of having been mesmerized by an in- 
competent person. Whilst in Lebanon, Pa., last December, I was 
called about midnight ; when I arrived, I found the family in the 
utmost consternation, on account of a young lady being thrown 
into a deep mesmeric state, by a child only eight years old, from 
which state, they found it impossible to arouse her. But I need 
not multiply instances ; I have said enough to show the reader 



CONSEQUENCES OP MESMERISM. 43 

that certain laws are connected with this power, without a compe- 
tent knowledge of which, it is a thing that should not be tampered 
with. 

I consider it of no small importance, that the mesmerizer should 
possess good mental parts ; for the impressions made by re-absorp- 
tion, are often permanent. But to discuss this matter in detail, 
would occupy more room than I can here allot to it. 



CHAPTER IV. 

There is a stage in mesmerism, in which the subject tells us that 
he sees heaven, fye. This is analogous, if not identical with the 
ecstatic state of religious enthusiasts. The most material differ- 
ence that I have marked, is the greater degree of coolness exhibited 
in the former case. I have not unfrequently listened to the most 
unpassioned, connected, and majestically sublime descriptions 
given by my subjects, of the world of spirits — in excellent keeping 
with the vision of Paul. I took a subject out of this state, who 
was fully conscious of having spent a whole year in heaven ; and 
retained a distinct recollection of all that had passed there. Now, 
I am not prepared to say that my subjects held an actual commu- 
nication with departed spirits, &c, yet, from what I already know 
of mesmerism, I have no philosophic evidence that they did not. 
It must be admitted, however, that the descriptions which they 
give us, may generally be ascribed to impressions which they have 
received in some other manner. 

Finally. A subject under mesmeric influence, may be made to 
experience any variety of sensation, which may be suggested to 
his susceptibility. He may be made to feel hot or cold, hungry, &c. 
He may be made to partake of a hearty dinner, with all the sensa- 
tions of one who is really eating ; and, even if hungry before 
being mesmerized, may be taken out of the state with his appetite 
fully satisfied, and remain fully convinced that he has eaten ! In 
fact, I can conceive of no impression whatever, that he may not 
be made to experience ! 

In perusing an assiduous investigation of this important subject, 
I have spared no pains whatever, to arrive at its true laws. At 
every step that I have taken, I have been startled by the light of 
some new phenomenon. In testing the power which one mind 
possesses over another, I have often stood amazed at what I my- 
self have done. I see that mesmerism has suddenly spread out to 
our view, a new, extensive, and fertile field of moral philosophy, 
which the mind of Plato, of Democritus, of Des Cartes, of Bacon, 



14 CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. . 

of Locke, of Leibnitz, and of Reid, never entered ; and what may 
we not expect from a faithful gleaning of its productions ? When 
we bring the conditions of natural somnambulism, trance, religious 
excitement, dreaming, &c, under the laws of mesmerism, have we 
not a light thrown upon them, of which our most sanguine hopes 
never before dreamed ? When we find ourselves possessed of 
feelings and notions of which we would fain be free, we refer them 
to the laws of mesmerism, and from them expect relief. Nor are 
we any longer at loss to account for the phenomena of persua- 
sion, love, attachment, friendship, &c, with their opposites. We 
can also see reason in the laws of mesmerism, why the sympathetic 
parts of systems, have an affinity for each other. — This will in- 
form us why woman are inclined to kissing in their salutations, 
why men join their hands, and why the natives of the South Sea 
Islands join the ends of their noses, on similar occasions. They 
inform us, too, why we are inclined to embrace those of whom we 
are fond. They reveal the secret of the mysterious power which 
has ever been justly attributed to lover's eyes • and explain why 
the hands of trembling lovers are wont to meet ; and why, when 
they come in contact, a mysterious, thrilling sensation is sent 
throughout the whole system. 

By a philosophic and impartial investigation of this profound 
subject, we are enabled to discern a beam of rational light shedding 
its grateful rays upon many of the most important passages of the 
Holy Writ, which have heretofore been shrouded in mystery so 
dense and incomprehensible, that they have not only made skep- 
tics of all rational men, but have exhausted the faith of even the 
most devoted bigots. For whether the ancient prophets, the 
Witch of Endor, Jesus Christ and his apostles ever enquired into 
the modus operandi of what is now called mesmerism, or not, 
doubtless they were well acquainted with the existence of this 
power and its principal results. And whether the theologians of 
the present day, are willing to take up the sublime study of this 
subject, and, by giving it the zealous attention which its dignity, 
importance, and profundity demand, avail themselves of an invalu- 
able assistance in their professional expositions, or not, doubtless 
the time is come, when the incongruous, artificial readings of many 
passages of the Holy Scriptures, are often heard from the pulpit, 
with feelings of mingled pity and disgust for the timorous dupe of 
either his own ignorance, or his too great devotedness to the es- 
tablished dictates of man, in preference to those of his reason, his 
conscience, and the true spirit of the Sacred Record. 

By an examination, too, of this subject, we find no difficulty in 
explaining the causes which gave rise to the superstitious notions 
of witchcraft, and the sanguinary deeds .which too often accompa- 
nied them. And one great lesson which we are all being taught 
by the havoc that mesmerism is making of our skepticism, is this, 



CONSEQUENCES OF MESMERISM. 45 

namely : not to denounce any subject until we have examined it ; 
let its first appearance be ever so absurd or ridiculous. 

I cannot close these hasty pages, without first soliciting the seri- 
ous attention of physicians generally, to a thorough investigation 
of this subject, which bears an immediate relation between them 
and the greatest interests of mankind. I know that many who 
are engaged in the healing art, still remain skeptics upon this mat- 
ter ; and I can only express my regret that they have been so un- 
fortunate, as not to have met with circumstances which might have 
convinced them of their error. And whilst I acknowledge every 
due feeling of toleration for a moderate share of skepticism, in 
matters which at first seem repulsive to our reason, I cannot but 
think that there is sufficient light now abroad upon this subject, to 
arouse to action, the sleeping energies of every well wisher of 
mankind ; and as this light can no longer be hidden from the com- 
munity, skepticism will no longer screen the ignorance of medical 
practitioners. But there are also many medical -willing skeptics, who 
are fully convinced of the efficacy of mesmerism, yet fear to own 
it. They tell us that they have "characters to lose !" that they 
" do not wish their names mentioned, in connexion with mesmer- 
ism, for fear of injury to their practice ! ! Can there be any im- 
aginable, pusillanimous position, more repulsive to the feelings of 
nature, of justice, and of humanity jthan this ? . Popular prejudice, 
I know, makes sad inroads upon the moral courage of feeble man ; 
but I ask in very pity, how can any man, possessing one spark of hu- 
man feeling, be moved by mercenary motives, to withhold his 
support from what he knows would be of benefit to his suffering 
patients? How can he, with a shadow of conscience, or of moral 
principle, for the sake of " filthy lucre," compare the lives and 
health of his confiding and supplicating patients, to the 'price of a 
few sordid dollars? He who can do this, certainly subjects him- 
self to the just censure of every true friend of benevolence; and 
renders himself unworthy of the name which marks his species. I 
do not wish to appear severe in this place, upon the faculty ; for I 
am pleading the cause of suffering humanity ! and call rather with 
the voice of supplication, than of demand. I wish, if possible, to 
impress the importance of the subject upon the minds of all who 
are engaged in the healing art — to encourage them to an investiga- 
tion of it. They will find that their labors will be more than 
compensated by their acquaintance with this " ne plus ultra" of 
modern materia medica. And if any one should lose, for a while, the 
empty smiles of the prejudiced, or even be minus a few dollars at 
the end of the year, I fearlessly promise that he shall be doubly 
repaid, by the consciousness of having done his duty ! 

In conclusion. There is much yet to be learned of this subject. 
Much delicacy and patience are necessary in the investigation of 
it ; and every one who commences the investigation with skepti- 



46 CONSEQUENCES OP MESMERISM. 

cal feelings, can only advance in his knowledge, step by step. It 
should be borne in mind, too, that throughout nearly the whole prac- 
tical part of the subject, much depends on susceptibility, a branch 
which I intend to treat more largely on a future occasion than the 
limits of these pages could possibly permit. There are many 
other important branches too, belonging immediately to this sub- 
ject, which I have entirely omitted, some, for want of space to ex- 
plain them, and others, because they do not properly belong to a 
work, not professing to be a practical one. I have, however, in 
preparation, an elaborate work on Historical and Comparative 
Mesmerism; in which I shall fully discuss every thing that may. 
seem to have a direct bearing upon the subject. 



FINIS. 



[From the Reading Gazette, Nov. 18, 1843.] 

ASTONISHING RESULTS OF MESMERISM. 



" Thou canst not administer to a mind diseased." — Shakspeare. 

Notwithstanding Shakspeare has thus written, events that have transpired, 
during the present week have convinced me, that if Diseases of the Mind 
could not be removed in his day, they can in this ; and I cannot rest satisfied 
without informing the afflicted, that ' there is a Balm in Gilead,' ' a cure for 
wounded hearts.' 

A few evenings since, being in company with Dr. Yorke, he for the gratifi- 
cation of the company, consented to magnetize a young lady, and while she 
was in the state, he was informed of a desire on the part of the lady to forget 
some circumstances which had lately occurred, and which were a source of 
great uneasiness to her. The Doctor having satisfied himself of the fact, im- 
mediately willed her to forget the circumstance and persons connected there- 
with ; the result of which has been very satisfactory. The lady has not been 
able since to recall the name of any of the parties, denying ever having known 
them; and although the strictest watch has been kept upon her countenance, 
not the slightest emotion has been visible, eyen when the circumstances have 
been directly alluded to. Previous to the operation, however, she was moved 
to tears by the slightest allusion to them. 

There have also been several other cases of a similar character, which have 
fallen under my notice, in which the power of Mesmerism as applied by Dr, 
Yorke, has been equally successful. 

Any persons desirous of availing thmselves of the efficacy of Mesmerism, and 
wishing to be more fully informed as to the correctness of the above statement, 
can, by referring to me, obtain ample evidence of its truth. 

WILLIAM R. MILLER, 

Franklin street, 
Reading, Nov. 18, 1843.. 



NOTICE. 



The Author of 'Absorption,* will continue to impart instructions personally, 
and by letter, on the practical application of Mesmerism, to Medical Practi- 
tioners, generally, and other competent persons. 

TERMS. — Per course Fifty Dollars. 

N. B. Single lessons, or letters, or any number less than a complete course, 
will be given at Five Dollars each, to such only as have already obtained 
some knowledge of the subject. 



Reason is the Philosopher's highway to truth. Experience, the best 
monitor of even fools, has placed facts along for way-marks, to guide him on 
his journey. Hence : 

" He who will not reason, is a bigot ; 

He who cannot reason, is a fool ; 

And he who dares not reason, is a slave." 



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